[Photo &] Ruel, the Future of Australian Pop, Says ‘The Power of My Music Is Honesty’ as He Hopes to Collaborate With Cortis

The future of Australian pop returns, a Z-generation icon armed with authenticity

"I think the biggest power of my music is authenticity. I open up about things I’m afraid to talk about, even on a personal level. I believe my unfiltered honesty moves people’s hearts."

Global singer-songwriter 'Ruel', from Australia, pointed to 'authenticity' as the ultimate weapon of music. His candor projects even the private wounds that many people want to hide, cutting powerfully through the public’s souls. With debut tracks 'Painkiller' and 'Younger', he captivated the world at the age of 16, and has since cemented himself as an overwhelming 'top Z-generation artist', with 1.04 million followers on Instagram and 1.57 million on YouTube. Stopping by Seoul’s Itaewon as part of his new album promotion, he laid out an ambitious goal to remain a distinctive messenger who amplifies audiences’ emotions and offers comfort.

Growing pains shaped from raw emotion, singing about realistic love

His third studio album, 'Kicking My Feet & Screaming', captures a more mature narrative as Ruel enters his mid-20s. While his previous work stayed within the glow of first-time excitement, this new record takes an unvarnished look at the true face of 'realistic love', as if kicking off the blanket of suffering. A massive tracklist of 21 songs was built entirely on the solid foundation of his 'personal experiences'. The melodies completed through a painful creative process in which he gives everything he has fully return to the public as the highest praise—'music that offers comfort'. It is the most fundamental reason and driving force behind why he holds the microphone.

A steadfast salute to Korea—and a leap toward his 10th anniversary

During his five-day schedule in Korea, Ruel enjoyed a guerrilla live set in Mapo-gu and a tour in Seongsu-dong, and he did not hide his special affection for 'Korean fans'. The energy of the fandom that has backed him since his first visit to Korea as a teenager is an absolute source of inspiration. He also expressed deep respect for 'K-pop artists' who pursue perfection. Along with praise for 'Sunwoo', the idol he collaborated with in the past, he also revealed his hopes for a collaboration with 'Cortis', an artist he has been paying close attention to recently. With his upcoming debut 10th anniversary, and having turned the isolation of the pandemic into nourishment for growth, he left behind a firm promise that he will return to Korea’s live stages as soon as possible.